Sodium Flashcards
What should you think of when you hear Sodium ?
Think Neuro Changes !
The Sodium level in your blood is totally dependent on what ?
How much water you have in the blood
Hypernatremia = ?
Dehydration
- Too much sodium, not enough water
What are causes of Hypernatremia ?
- Hyperventilation (w/ breathing you exhaling water)
- Heat stroke
- Diabetes Insipidious (DI)
- Other obvious causes = N/V, etc.
What is a normal Sodium level ?
135-145mEq/L
What are signs and symptoms of Hypernatremia ?
- Dry mouth
- Thirsty (already dehydrated by the time your thirsty)
- Swollen tongue
- Neuro changes
What are the Treatments for Hypernatremia ?
- Restrict sodium
- Dilute client with fluids (diluting makes sodium go down)
- Daily weights
- I & O
- Lab work
If you have a sodium problem, you have a what ?
Fluid problem
Feeding tube clients tend to become what ?
Dehydrated
Hyponatremia is defined as what ?
Too much water, not enough sodium
What are causes of Hyponatremia ?
- Drinking H2O for fluid replacement (vomiting, sweating)
- This only replaces water and dilutes the blood - Psychogenic polydipsia (mental health problem)
- Loves to drink water - D5W (sugar and water)
- SIADH (retaining H2O)
What are signs and symptoms of Hyponatremia ?
- Headache
- Seizure
- Coma
- All Neuro changes
What are the Treatments for Hyponatremia ?
- Client needs Sodium
- Client doesn’t need H2O
- Hypertonic solution (3% or 5%) - (Hypertonic = packed with particles)
- If client is having neuro problems
- 3% NS or 5% NS –> @ risk for Hypervolemia
- watch for fluid shifts
- Best in ICU setting
TESTING STRATEGY
The _______ doesn’t like it when the sodium is messed up
Brain
Neuro changes are common in clients with what ?
Hypernatremia or Hyponatremia
